Dark Inheritance

Warning: Mature themes discussed

The building that once housed the Interzone sat silently at its corner downtown location. Years ago it'd been a popular nightclub for the teenage crowd, with techno dance parties and dazzling light shows. Now, it was just another dead structure surrounded by flickering street lights. At this hour the streets around it were as dead as the building. This suited JC just fine.

A quick survey showed most of the old entrances were boarded up and sealed. If the scientist had been telling the truth, there must be some way inside. He circled around towards an alley when his phone rang. Moving quickly to the shadows and making sure no one was nearby he checked it. It was Chelsea.

"Chelsea? What is it?" he answered tersely. Her timing was terrible.

"I hear you've been busy. Having fun without the rest of us?"

"I'm in the middle of something important. I can't talk right now."

"Important like dealing with the people harassing us? And you didn't think to invite me or Kayslee?"

"It's too dangerous. I can't get you involved."

"Too late." came a voice from around the corner. Chelsea put her phone away as she approached him. Kayslee followed behind her.

"What are you doing? I told you this is dangerous!"

"We can't sit by and do nothing." Kayslee argued. "We're in this together. Besides, all of us kind of owe you."

"And we can't let you have all the fun." Chelsea quipped.

"This isn't fun. It's dangerous. Especially with you here. Several people trying to sneak in are too noticeable."

"We can take care of ourselves. Now let's go." Chelsea said, heading passed JC to a nearby dumpster. A vent grate was above it, just within reach. JC sighed as the girls climbed up and entered the abandoned building. He followed just behind them.

…

The shaft led them to the reception area, where guests checked in and paid the entrance fee. The group was behind the front desk, encased in shatter proof glass. As they filtered into the main entrance area, JC addressed the others.

"Look, it's touching that you want to help, but seriously, what do you think is going to happen?"

Kayslee stepped forward. "I think we're going to sneak in and find out what's been going on."

"And what if we're caught? What if we have to fight our way out?"

The others looked at each other. Chelsea took out a pair of nasty-looking daggers and wielded them dual-style. Kayslee had a multi-section staff that locked into place and was weighted at one end. Chelsea took out a small ear bud and handed it to JC. JC was silent for a moment before putting it in.

"JC, can you read me?" came Diana's voice.

Figures. "Diana, what's going on?"

"Like they said, we're helping you. I'll provide backup as usual."

JC looked at the weapons the others were carrying. "Where did you get those?"

"You don't think we were just sitting by while you fought the good fight." Kayslee said. "I used to practice with this kind of weapon when I was younger. Before the singing of course."

"Same here." said Chelsea. "And I can pick any lock or pocket if you need it, in case you were wondering."

"That doesn't answer my question." JC continued. "Where did you get those?"

"Jasper." Diana answered. "When I told them what you'd been up to they wanted to help. Jasper insisted they come prepared."

That sly old man JC thought. "And what about your faces? Even if nothing happens, you could end up on the news." The girls each pulled out a mask similar to JC's. They were full face hockey goalie masks, each a different color: Red for Kayslee, black for Chelsea. The girls were serious about helping. He didn't like it, but there was no point arguing. They were all in too deep now. "Okay. But be ready for anything."

The main area of the club was an open dance floor. Off to the side were the remains of the drink bar, the fountain machine long since removed. Sets of stairs led up to additional dance floors and some sitting areas. Overhead lights with broken or missing bulbs looked down from the rafters. Every surface was darkened and worn from disuse. Overall, it was a depressing scene.

"Are you sure this place is in use?" Chelsea asked. "It looks completely dead and abandoned."

"No." Kayslee replied, looking at the floor. "This place had been closed for years, but the dust is too light. People have been through here."

Diana chimed in over the earpieces. "According to records, there was an elevator that led to a more private part of the club. Used for private parties and conventions usually."

"The warehouse had something like that." JC said. "Odds are it leads to their actual facility. If there's one thing these guys are good at it's being consistent."

The elevator was passed the dance floor, down a hall with a reception desk. True to their suspicions, it was in working order. A card reader was next to the door. JC took out the keycard he took from the scientist at the other club and swiped it. Access granted.

"The warehouse I checked out was being cleared," JC stated. "If they're doing the same here this might be easy…"

"What if it isn't?" Kayslee asked.

"Then this could get ugly." JC replied. The rest of the trip down was silent.

…

The elevator opened into a small, dark corridor that led to another wide open area beyond. "Diana," JC said, "can you get any info about this level?"

"I have them, but odds are they are out of date." Diana replied. "If they overhauled this place, it wouldn't be in the public records. Who knows what they've done down there."

"That's a comforting thought." said Chelsea. The three continued forward into the large room. JC scanned the area with his sight – and was started when the lights came on.

"Welcome, young ones!" said an enthusiastic voice from an overhead speaker. "So nice of you to join our little test run. You're right on time."

The three looked around and saw an overhead observation area, walled in with large windows, overlooking the area they stood. Inside, a middle-aged man in a lab coat, with unkempt hair and a gloating expression, looked down upon them. Another merc and a few other people in lab coats were with him.

"Is that your cousin?" Kayslee said to JC.

"Nah, he's too ugly, even for Marcus." JC replied.

The scientist chuckled. "No love lost there, eh, JC? Thank you for bringing your fellow Nephilim along with you. This should provide valuable data." JC shot an 'I told you so' glare at the others. The man continued. "I am Dr. Kurtz, and it's an honor to meet you all in person."

"Pardon us if we're not impressed." Chelsea retorted.

"Oh, but you will be." Dr. Kurtz said. "After you see what's in store for you." His assistants worked some controls in the area they stood in. "This facility is used to gather and contain various lifeforms from beyond this world. You yourselves should be familiar with them." Part of the floor opened up and a transparent enclosure rose up, containing – what they others could tell – several small, humanoid beings, black as night, with glowing yellow eyes that regarded them balefully. "These specimens are of the lowest kind, called Imps." The doctor continued. "They shouldn't be too much of a challenge for you. Begin." The cage opened and the creatures came at them. The others saw that the imps' fingers ended in sharp claws. JC drew forth his sword and slashed at the first one. It clumsily tried to dodge but was cut in half for its efforts. Chelsea's knives pulsed with energy and spun about, slicing one with each slash. Kayslee's staff knocked her foes to the ground before the finishing blow. Shortly, all the imps were dead. Their bodies seemed to evaporate away into nothing.

"As you can see, they do not present much of a threat to a prepared group." Dr. Kurtz explained. "And as they are not native to this plane, their essence returns once the body is slain. This makes autopsies difficult, but not impossible." The other scientists worked the controls again. "This next type should provide more of a challenge." Another glass case appeared, this time with six blackened wolf-like creatures with menacing yellow eyes inside. "We call these Lupus, for obvious reasons." The creatures were released and lunged at the three teens. Wasting no time, they sprang into action. JC launched a bolt at one before cutting down another with his sword. Chelsea shot a wave of destructive energy at two before slicing through them. Kayslee smashed two on their heads with her staff. Each slain creature vanished as the imps had.

"Splendid!" Kurtz said with excitement. "You're doing very well. The godgenes were not wasted on you." More controls were used. "This one should really challenge you." The case being raised contained and large, black lion, about the size of a minivan. The three teens stood at the ready, wondering how they were going to take it down. The case was opened and the creature sprang at them. JC dodged its claws and slashed at its side. The creature growled but prepared another pounce. Kayslee and Chelsea attacked its flank. They managed to wound it further but it didn't stop. The two barely managed to dodge the beast's swipes. JC leapt at it, sword at the ready. His sword bit into the creature's side – it countered with a painful slash to JC's side. JC jumped back as the claws cut into him. Kayslee and Chelsea cried out at the sight.

"Tsk tsk, JC. Don't be cocky with this one." Dr. Kurtz chided with a smirk. The three took positions around the creature. Looking at each other, they nodded in unison. As one, they launched their attacks: Kayslee with her sonic scream, Chelsea with her entropy wave, JC with his lightning. All three hit the beast at once; it roared in anger before disappearing.

"Excellent!" Dr. Kurtz said. "The three of you definitely live up to your ancestors. I doubt they could have done better themselves." The three teens had flashes of memories: Standing together with the others, fighting similar creatures. This was nothing new to them. Suddenly a cage rose up from the floor, trapping JC and Kayslee. Chelsea was further out and managed to get clear.

"You've done well, but let's see if you can face off against one of your own." Dr. Kurtz sneered as part of the floor inside the cage opened and another being was raised. This wasn't another beast: it was human. Young, male, dark-skinned, with black, messy dreadlocks falling down his shoulders, dressed in surgical scrubs. He turned and looked at his cellmates with green, slited eyes. His nails were long and sharp like claws. Another inheritor, a Wild Blood. He looked familiar somehow…

"This young lad was acquired overseas. He's been thoroughly tested and examined and his abilities are quite remarkable. Can you bring yourself to fight a fellow Titan? We shall see."

The youth regarded JC and Kayslee curiously. JC stood between him and Kayslee. Whoever he was he looked dangerous, almost feral. "Look, we're not your enemies." He tried, hoping to buy some time for Chelsea to get away. She was looking for a way to open the cage. A few consoles we against the wall but she didn't recognize any of them.

"I'm trying to access the system from here." said Diana's voice. "I'll see what I can do." The youth crouched down and glared at JC. JC thought he saw him relax – then he pounced and pinned him to the floor. JC struggled to keep his claws away from him.

"Chelsea, do something!" Kayslee called out. "Get this thing open!"

"I don't know how!" Chelsea called back.

"You can open it from the console on the left." The feral youth looked over at her. His voice was accented English.

Everyone was stunned, including Dr. Kurtz. "WB-103 can speak? How did he keep that hidden?" he said. Chelsea used the console the boy had indicated and the cage lowered. He helped JC to his feet, his nails and eyes reverted to normal. "I apologize, my friend." He said. "But I had to fool them until it was time. We need to get out of here."

"I don't think so." Dr. Kurtz said, his expression more serious now. "None of you are leaving. Valuable specimens like yourselves shouldn't be running rampant." JC launched a bolt at the observation window. It exploded harmlessly against it. "Nice try, young man. But this glass is not only bullet proof, it's shielded against your abilities. You can't break it." The teens looked at each other in understanding. Again, as one, the main three launched their attacks. Not at the glass; they hit the frame holding it in place. The metal frame came loose and the glass crashed to the floor. "You were saying?" Chelsea said with a smirk. Kurtz and the others quickly rushed out the doors leading into the observations deck. They looked at their new companion.

"So, who are you?" Kayslee asked.

"Intros will have to wait." The boy said. "We need to escape."

"No." JC said. "We came here to stop them from making the vector. We can't leave until we do."

"If you can get to a terminal, I can find where it is." Diana said over their earpieces. JC looked up at the deck the scientists had been. "We need to get up there."

"I'll help." The boy said. He boosted JC up to the deck, which was only ten feet off the floor. After helping the others JC pulled him up. JC went to the consoles and looked for a port. Finding one, he plugged in the device Diana had given him. After a moment Diana responded. "I'm in. The area is a few corridors down from your location."

…

"My name is Andre Hypolite." The young man said as they went down the corridors. "I'm originally from Haiti. I was brought here months ago by these people."

"What did they do to you?" asked JC, wary of the answer.

"Things not worth repeating." he answered bitterly. "It was fortunate that we finally met. But that will have to wait." The four emerged into another observation deck, overlooking a large room with a complex-looking machine. The deck wrapped around to the right and along the back wall – where the merc was pointing an automatic firearm at them.

"Take cover!" JC shouted. Chelsea brought her solid black wall up just as a barrage came at them. "We need to get down there to that machine." Kayslee said.

"How?" Chelsea said. "He's got us pinned. If we leave cover he'll nail us." She thought for a moment. "We can split up and distract him while some of us go for the machine…"

"No good." JC replied. "He's a well-trained soldier. He'll pick off whoever goes for the machine. Probably has grenades, too. We need to take him down before we hit the machine." He thought for a moment. "I think I got something. Wish me luck." He bolted out from the wall, speeding along the deck, focusing on creating the mist he made back at the warehouse. He felt the familiar surge of power and chill, but no mist formed. He kept going, hoping either it would form or the merc's reactions were slow. No such luck. The merc followed his movements and fired, spraying lead right into JC –

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK

Loud smashing noises followed the impact but JC felt no pain. His run went uninterrupted as he rounded the corner and raced right at the soldier. The man's clip went empty and he quickly tried to reload. He finished just in time to see JC's fist smash him in the face before everything went black. The others joined JC after the guy was down.

"JC, how did you do that?" Chelsea asked.

"Do what?" he said. He looked down at himself and saw what she meant: A thin, shiny layer of ice had formed on his body, moving perfectly with him like a second skin. Small cracks indicated where the soldier's bullets had hit. "I was trying to create a mist cloud. I guess I got something else." He said sheepishly. The ice disintegrated and JC doubled over, feeling woozy. "Are you okay?" Kayslee asked worriedly. "I feel wiped all of a sudden. That trick took a lot out of me." He tried to straighten up but couldn't. An idea occurred to him. He reached into his pack and pulled out one of the blue vials he took from the warehouse a while back. "Spirit Remedy" he read on the side. Opening the vial he carefully drank the blue liquid. It was a little tart, like an energy drink. A surge went through him and his strength returned.

"What was that?" Kayslee asked. JC told her about the warehouse raid.

"Guess that came in handy." Chelsea said.

"Guys, get to destroying that machine." Diana said impatiently. The four of them dropped down and started taking pictures with their phones. Uploading them to Diana, they awaited a response. The whole thing looked like a series of pumps, mechanical processors, and injectors that combined various compounds together. "Okay, see that large white mechanism connecting the pump and processor? You need to disable it to stop the machine."

"This one?" JC walked over to the device. It was about three feet wide and tall, with various chemicals being pumped through. "Yes, I would try removing the connectors carefully and unhooking it from the rest of the machine." JC looked it over. "Or…" he said. He raised his foot and kicked the mechanism over and over again. After several kicks the device cracked and buckled, breaking loose as fluid leaked onto the floor. The rest of the machine sputtered to a stop.

"JC!" Kayslee shouted. "What was that for?"

"They've been using my blood to further their plans." JC responded. "Not anymore." Kayslee and the others were shocked but nodded in understanding. "Now we can leave." JC said.

"Wait." Diana said. "I'm seeing more diagrams on the server. This place goes down further." A moment went by. "It looks like right into the underground waterways."

"What's down there?" Chelsea asked.

"I can't tell. It's blocked even from the server."

The group looked at Andre and asked him. "I do not know either. I was never taken beyond my cell."

"If it's worth hiding, it's important." JC said.

…

The tunnels were dimly lit and surprisingly empty. The four had presumed there would be security trying to stop them. The only other movement was the water rushing through the canal next to them. The tension was high; they were nervous about what they might find at the end. Eventually they came to a larger section. What they saw was shocking.

Large tubes lined the walls on both sides. Inside some was a humanoid figure, which JC recognized as the drones he'd been fighting. Machines pumped fluid into the tubes the drones were suspended in.

"Impressive, isn't it?" said a voice. Dr. Kurtz stood at the end of the room, looking as smug as ever. "Thanks to the formula, we can produce several drone units in a day. Which is good, considering how rough you've been with them."

"What formula?" JC asked.

"Really? You haven't figured it out? It's the vector we synthesized from you and your sister. You've been fighting beings with your own DNA."

JC was sickened yet again. As if he wasn't already disgusted with his family's practices. "This ends now, Kurtz. You and your plans are finished."

Kurtz just smiled and pushed some buttons on a console. A set of sliding doors against the wall slid open and several figures walked out. They were like the drones they'd seen, but considerably different. Seven feet tall, muscular, wearing dark body suits, backpacks, gas mask helmets, and blades protruded from bracers on their forearms. Six emerged and moved towards the four teens.

"These are the newest models we've been developing. They are stronger, tougher, and far more capable than the smaller ones. This will be a good test run for them." The drones split up and took on different teens. JC and Andre faced off against two each. Kayslee and Chelsea each faced one. "Let's not keep them waiting."

JC sprang forward and slashed at his opponents with his sword. The blade cut deep across their chests but they didn't slow. He dodged each of their blades before kicking one of them square in the knee joint. The drone fell to one knee before getting decapitated. His partner came in with another slash, locking his weapon with JC's. JC got one hand free and zapped the drone, driving it back. Standing on the thing, he drove his sword downward, impaling it through the chest. It stopped moving.

Chelsea burst into a flurry of movement, her blades flashing with raw power. In a span of two seconds several lacerations appeared on her opponent. It fell to its knees before being impaled in the back.

Andre's opponents raised their blades and came straight at him. Andre concentrated, took a deep breath and breathed a gout of fire, engulfing both drones. The two victims thrashed and collapsed in a burnt, acrid heap.

Kayslee had the toughest time, as most of her powers weren't geared towards fighting. She parried several attacks from her foe before smashing her staff into its midsection. The drone staggered but stood its ground. She let out a sonic scream which shattered parts of its helmet. A final blow to its head dropped it with a wet cracking sound.

The four teens looked at their fallen opponents, a sense of pride filling them all. "Guess they weren't up to snuff, hey Kurtz?" Chelsea said – and saw the good doctor had aimed a pistol at them.

"Indeed." He answered bitterly. "You kids are almost more trouble than you're worth. Lucky for you, my employers still want you. Our operations here may be compromised, but bringing the four of you in should make them overlook this little -" A snap of fingers and a lightning bolt from above silenced him.

"If you're going to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." JC said matter-of-factly.

A chiming sound got their attention. JC saw a small console with a flashing light next to a two-by-two foot platform. He pressed a button on the console and a holographic figure appeared on the platform: Tall, female, with long, dark curly hair, dressed like the mercenaries he'd faced before.

"You kids certainly know how to fight, don't you?" she said with a smirk.

"You're the lady from the warehouse – the one who sicced 'Bruno' on me."

"A task which he failed miserably. We didn't know who you were at the time."

"So you're the leader of these mercs then." Kayslee said. "Like the one that tried to ambush me."

"Another failure, thanks to your friend here." The woman said. "You're making it hard for us to conduct business. Not a smart move on your part."

"You almost sound worried." Chelsea said. "You know we've got your number."

"You have nothing young lady." The woman said coldly. "Next time you won't face off against one of my grunts. The one you just took down was supposed to guard this place but still wasn't up to the task."

"You're saying your own men aren't good enough?" JC said smugly.

"The human ones aren't. Next time you'll face someone of your own abilities." The image disappeared.

The four teens scoured the lab. JC took the pistol Kurtz had tried to use, a Beretta 9mm. Chelsea plugged a jack into one of the terminals so Diana could hack it remotely.

"You guys fight well." Andre said. "It's like old times, isn't it?"

JC and the others looked at him quizzically. Then they each had another vision: Standing together, fighting strange creatures as a group. They now knew why they recognized Andre. The youth smiled at them. "It has been a while, has it not?"

"Yes, far too long." JC said. "But we need to leave soon." The computer jack chimed. "Like now."

"What about him?" Kayslee said, indicating the unconscious Kurtz.

"Either he spills the beans to the cops or gets punished by his employers." JC said. "Either way, I don't think he'll be a problem anymore. Let's go."

…

Judith was awoken with a start by a beeping noise. It was her computer terminal. She got up and turned on the monitor. A small window indicated an incoming call.

"Judith, are you there?" It was Alan Howards, one of the scientists at the facility. He looked worried.

"Yes." She answered warily. "What is it?"

"I need to see you. I've unlocked the doors to the other building. Get here as quickly and quietly as you can."

Judith made her way through the halls. It was very late so nobody was around. She knew a few security members would be around but she knew how to avoid them. The other "candidates" were all asleep; Judith couldn't believe they all seemed okay with their new situation. She got to the door at the annex; it slid open without her assistance. Alan's work station wasn't too far. He greeted her as she entered.

"I'm sorry to wake you, but you should see this." He said. He opened a file on his terminal and showed her several images. Each one had a masked figure in conflict with different people: A tough-looking soldier, some figures in black jumpsuits, even some creepy, black-color creatures. The last few had others fight alongside him, also in masks.

"Why are you showing me this? Who are these people?"

Alan pressed a few more keys and individual pictures came up: Her brother, JC, Kayslee Simmons, the popular media star, a young goth-looking girl, and a dark-skinned young man. As she looked them over, her mind was overwhelmed by other images: Standing with four others, fighting strange creatures with them. The same people she saw in the pictures.

"You brother's been busy, striking at some of our facilities. He's even recruited others like him." He paused. "You recognize them, don't you?"

Judith wasn't entirely sure she could trust Alan, but she nodded.

"I think your old comrades might be the key to helping you."

~To be continued